In a rare and candid interview, Debbie Rowe—Michael Jackson’s ex-wife and mother to two of his children—spoke out about her relationship with the King of Pop, debunking long-standing rumors and shedding light on their unconventional love story.

Contrary to tabloid claims that Rowe was an obsessed fan with a “shrine” to Jackson, she playfully dismissed the idea. “I had a picture of him on my wall growing up—right next to Bobby Sherman and Donny Osmond,” she laughed. “But no shrine.”

Rowe recalled how their relationship developed over nearly two decades, evolving from friendship to something more. “We had fun. We’d sneak out, go to premieres without security, just being silly,” she said. She noted their flirtatious personalities and strong emotional connection, but firmly drew the line at invasive questions about their intimacy: “What happens behind closed doors is none of your business.”

When Jackson expressed his desire to become a father after his split from Lisa Marie Presley, Rowe offered to help. “I told him, ‘Let me do this for you,’” she said emotionally. After a miscarriage, she gave birth to their son, Prince. Jackson, she said, was overwhelmed with joy. “The look on his face… I’ve never seen him that happy.”

Rowe dismissed accusations that she was paid to have Jackson’s children. “I’d be pretty unaffordable,” she joked. Their decision to marry came later, motivated not by romance but by a desire to protect their children from public scrutiny. “We didn’t want the kids to carry that ‘out of wedlock’ label,” she explained.

She revealed their marriage was simple—conducted by a justice of the peace—and they didn’t even spend their wedding night together. “I was pregnant and exhausted,” she said. Though they never lived together full-time, Rowe insisted, “We were a family—just not a conventional one.”

As media pressure mounted, Rowe became the target of harsh tabloid coverage, with stories accusing her of being a “freak” or merely a surrogate. She strongly denied these claims and expressed hurt over being misjudged. “It doesn’t get easier, no matter how old you are.”

She remained supportive of Jackson’s friendship with ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, even joking about rumors of a secret wedding. “If this marriage got in the way of our friendship, I’d give it up,” she said, emphasizing that friendship was their foundation.

Rowe also shared the sentimental origin of daughter Paris’s name, inspired by the city of her conception. “Michael was more hands-on the second time around,” she recalled. “He was able to absorb it all. He touched her head and said, ‘She’s beautiful.’”

In closing, Rowe reminded the world of one truth behind the tabloid chaos: “We were a family. It may not have looked like it to others—but it was real.”

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Debbie Rowe, the former wife of Michael Jackson and mother of two of his children, has long remained an enigmatic figure in the public eye. Her deep emotional connection with Jackson, combined with her fierce protectiveness over her children, paints a portrait of a woman whose choices were far more complex than the media often portrayed.

In a heartfelt interview, Rowe shared her struggles with the overwhelming pressure of fame and media scrutiny that came with being associated with Jackson. “It wasn’t the babies that was it. It was the media that was it,” she confessed, explaining that constant media attacks pushed her to retreat from public life. Though Jackson offered to shield her from the public eye, Rowe longed for normalcy—simple things like going to the grocery store, something she could no longer do freely.

Rowe acknowledged that the decision to separate from Jackson was hers. “It wasn’t quits,” she said. “It was, please, I need… I can’t do this.” Despite walking away from their marriage, Rowe never stopped caring for Jackson. She became visibly emotional in court while testifying in his defense during his 2005 trial, saying there was “my Michael,” the person she knew, and “the Michael everyone else sees.”

Her testimony ended up helping Jackson’s case significantly, contradicting the prosecution’s expectations. She denied being scripted or coerced and insisted her words came from the heart.

Rowe also faced criticism for her unconventional motherhood. Many were shocked when she said her children don’t call her “mom,” but she clarified that it was her choice, made out of a desire to give Jackson the joy of fatherhood. “They’re Michael’s children. I had them because I wanted him to be a father,” she stated, adding that she feared for their safety due to threats and media pressure, hence the decision to keep their faces covered.

After Jackson’s death in 2009, Rowe was thrust back into the spotlight. Although Jackson’s will excluded her, she expressed interest in maintaining contact with her children. Later, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she and her daughter Paris reconnected. Paris became her “rock,” offering unwavering support during treatment. “For her to kiss my bald head… that’s love without limits,” Rowe said, visibly moved.

Today, Rowe lives a quieter life, reflecting on love, loss, and resilience. Her bond with Jackson, though complicated, remains deeply etched in her memory. “He always took good care of me,” she said. “If he were here today, he’d say, ‘Nice head.’” Her story is one of strength, sacrifice, and a fierce devotion that transcended fame and fortune.